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Abstract:

The invention relates to a windshield wiper blade of a motor vehicle,
comprising an elongate flexible strip, wherein at least one end of the
strip is covered by a cap with a built-in conduit provided with a nozzle
offset on the side of the flexible strip relative to the longitudinal
median plane of said flexible strip.

Claims:

1.-11. (canceled)

12. A windshield wiper blade of an automotive vehicle, said wiper blade
comprising: an elongated flexible wiper blade; and at least one cap
disposed on at least one end of the wiper blade, the cap having
integrated therein a conduit equipped with a nozzle offset on the side of
a lip of the wiper blade relative to a median longitudinal plane of wiper
blade.

13. The wiper blade according to claim 1, wherein an axis of the nozzle
is disposed parallel to the lip of wiper blade so as to direct washer
fluid to the lip of wiper blade when the wiper blade is in a stop
position, prior to returning during wiping of a glass surface of the
vehicle.

14. The wiper blade according to claim 1, wherein the axis of nozzle is
oriented in the direction of the lip of the wiper blade in order to
direct the washer fluid to lip of wiper blade when the wiper blade is in
a stop position, prior to returning during wiping of a glass surface of
the vehicle.

15. The wiper blade according to claim 1, wherein the cap comprises two
legs dysenteric located relative to a median plane of the wiper blade
lip.

16. The wiper blade according to claim 4, wherein one of the legs of the
cap includes the nozzle extending into the vicinity of the lip of wiper
blade.

17. The wiper blade according to claim 1, wherein the cap includes a
connector protruding from a bottom of the cap.

18. The wiper blade according to claim 6, wherein the connector is
constructed of the same material as the cap.

19. The wiper blade according to claim 1, wherein the nozzle is disposed
within the conduit.

20. The wiper blade according to claim 16, wherein the nozzle comprises a
chamfer flaring towards a exit of the nozzle and flush with the side of
leg.

21. A device for washing and wiping a glass surface of an automotive
vehicle, said device comprising: a windshield wiper blade, said wiper
blade comprising: an elongated flexible wiper blade; and at least one cap
disposed on at least one end of the wiper blade, the cap having
integrated therein a conduit equipped with a nozzle offset on the side of
a lip of the wiper blade relative to a median longitudinal plane of wiper
blade.

22. An automotive vehicle, said vehicle comprising a device for washing
and wiping a glass surface of the vehicle, said device comprising: a
windshield wiper blade, said wiper blade comprising: an elongated
flexible wiper blade; and at least one cap disposed on at least one end
of the wiper blade, the cap having integrated therein a conduit equipped
with a nozzle offset on the side of a lip of the wiper blade relative to
a median longitudinal plane of wiper blade.

Description:

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] This application is a National Stage of International Application
No. PCT/FR2010/052483, filed Nov. 22, 2010, which claims priority to
French application 0958272, filed on Nov. 23, 2009, the content of which
(text, drawings and claims) is incorporated herein by reference.

FIELD

[0002] The present invention relates to a windshield wiper blade that
includes in at least one of its extremities a conduit equipped with a
nozzle integrated in the cap of the windshield wiper blade.

BACKGROUND

[0003] Typically, cleaning of the windshield or the rear window of a
vehicle normally occurs by spraying washer fluid on the glass surface by
means of nozzles installed on the hood of the vehicle or on the cowl
grille of the vehicle. These nozzles, installed at a distance from the
glass surface to be cleaned, require very delicate adjustment in order to
obtain an effective spray. These so-called fluidic nozzles project washer
fluid in the form of spray on most of the glass surface. This washing
operation uses a significant fluid volume and masks during a few seconds
the visibility of the driver. Consequently, this operation could turn out
to be very dangerous because of the potential risks that it can imply. In
addition, the jet projection varies depending on the speed of the
vehicle, for instance, at high speed, the jet is projected only on the
lower portion of the glass surface which results of course in
insufficient cleaning of said glass surface. Furthermore, wash systems
are typically designed for each type of vehicle, which entails
significant development costs.

[0004] In all cases, the washer fluid is projected directly on the glass
surface ahead of the wiper blade either in the form of spray, or in the
form of projection, distributed in irregular and discontinuous patches.

[0005] In the state of technology, we know in particular document DE
1755762, describing a washer fluid projection device in connection with a
windshield wiper mechanism. The mechanism comprises a mobile mounted
windshield wiper blade, sweeping the glass surface, and comprising the
traditional longitudinal support assembly and a wiper blade.

[0006] The projection device consists of an arm on which the wiper is
mounted and is adapted to the wiper so that the washer fluid is projected
in the form of a jet in front of the lip of the wiper blade relative to
its sweeping movement.

[0007] Document FR291 671 6 describes an arrangement for a washer fluid
projection device. The washer fluid projection nozzle is placed at the
end and on the outside of the wiper blade, precisely in the axis of its
median part in order to spray alternatively, during its sweeping
movement, a fluid jet on the glass surface in front of the wiper lip.

[0008] Document EP 0860336 describes a wiper blade connected in
traditional manner to a mobile sweeping arm to clean a glass surface. The
wiper blade comprises a lip in its lower part and a means to mount to a
frame in its upper part, and a channel extending longitudinally in the
interior of the wiper blade, in order to carry washer fluid to an end
piece in each of the extremities of the wiper blade. This end piece has a
supply nipple for fluid introduced in the channel of the wiper blade. The
supply nipple is positioned in the axis of the end piece comprising end
pieces in the form of inverse V conduits, whereby the exit nozzles in the
extremities of the wiper blade are directed facing each other, in order
to deliver a jet in the form of spray at a variable distance from the
wiper blade depending on the angle of the V, on the glass surface on both
sides of the wiper blade, whereby the jets cross each other in the plane
passing through the lengthwise middle of the wiper blade.

SUMMARY

[0009] The goal of the invention is to provide a windshield wiper blade
and a washing and wiping device that eliminates these inconveniences in
particular by eliminating tedious adjustments and by ensuring a marked
visibility improvement for the driver during the washing and wiping
operation of the glass surface.

[0010] To this end, the invention comprises positioning a nozzle at the
exit of a conduit as close as possible to a lip of the wiper blade, by
incorporating the conduit in the cap of a windshield wiper blade. Prior
to its return, the lip of the windshield wiper blade forms a concavity
over its whole length, and the cylindrical jet of washer fluid emitted by
the nozzle is distributed uniformly in the concavity over the major
portion of the wiper blade lip of the windshield wiper blade. After
returning, the liquid distributed evenly between the lip of the
windshield wiper blade and the glass surface allows for optimized wiping
and cleaning without hindering the visibility of the driver.

[0011] For this purpose, an automotive vehicle windshield wiper blade of
the invention comprises a flexible elongated wiper blade, wherein in that
at least one extremity of the wiper blade is covered by a cap integrating
a conduit provided with a nozzle, which is offset on the side of the lip
of the flexible wiper blade relative to a median longitudinal plane of
the flexible wiper blade.

[0012] In various implementations, the axis of the nozzle is arranged
parallel to the lip of the wiper blade so that it directs the washer
fluid to the lip of the wiper blade when the wiper blade is in a stop
position, before returning for wiping of the glass surface, in order to
send the washer fluid in the concavity of the lip of the wiper blade and
evenly distributing it over its whole length.

[0013] In other implementations, the axis of the nozzle is oriented in the
direction of the lip of the wiper blade so that it directs the washer
fluid to the lip of the wiper blade when the latter is in its stop
position, before returning for wiping of the glass surface, which allows
for optimizing the direction of the jet during the supply of washer
fluid.

[0014] In yet other implementations, the cap comprises two dissymmetric
legs, relative to the median plane of the lip of the wiper blade, so that
the conduit can be incorporated in the longest leg.

[0015] In still other implementations, the conduit is arranged in the
extended lower portion of the cap leg so that the exit orifice of the
nozzle is positioned in the vicinity of the lip of the wiper blade and
the offset conduit is more advantageously positioned on the edge of the
wiper blade.

[0016] In still yet other implementations, the cap leg carrying the nozzle
extends in the vicinity of the lip of the wiper blade, so that the nozzle
can be placed and oriented in the most accurate manner relative to the
lip of the wiper blade.

[0017] In other implementations, the connector is protruding so that it
extends from the bottom of the cap for connection of the washer fluid
supply, which facilitates the assembly of the canalization.

[0018] In yet other implementations, the connector is made in one piece
with the cap, making it easier to fabricate.

[0019] In yet still other implementations, the nozzle is completely
situated inside the conduit, which avoids untimely misadjustments due to
shock or contact of the protruding nozzle.

[0020] In still further implementations, the conduit receiving the nozzle
comprises a chamfer flared towards the exit and flush on the side of the
leg so that the flow of washer fluid is improved.

[0021] In various other embodiments, the invention relates to a washing
and wiping device comprising at least one windshield wiper blade for a
glass surface.

[0022] In yet other embodiments, the invention comprises an automotive
vehicle comprising at least one washing and wiping device for a glass
surface.

DRAWINGS

[0023] Other characteristics of the windshield wiper blade constructed
according to the invention, will become clear through the following
description of several implementation examples given as non limiting
illustrations with reference to the attached drawings.

[0024]FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a washer and wiper assembly for a
glass surface according to the invention, in an inactive position.

[0025] FIG. 2 is a cross sectional view along line A-A of FIG. 4 of a
windshield wiper blade equipped with a support and a nozzle according to
the invention whereby the lip of the wiper blade is shown in a neutral
position in the median longitudinal plane.

[0026] FIG. 3 is a cross sectional view along line A-A of FIG. 4 of a
windshield wiper blade resting on a glass surface according to the
invention.

[0027]FIG. 4 is a perspective view of an extremity of a windshield wiper
blade equipped with a cap according to the invention.

[0028]FIG. 5 is an exploded view of the extremity of the windshield wiper
blade equipped with the cap according to the invention.

[0029]FIG. 6 is a top view of a cross section along line B-B in FIG. 2 of
the extremity of the windshield wiper blade equipped with the cap showing
the detail of a conduit equipped with a nozzle according to the
invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0030]FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of an assembly for washing and
wiping a glass surface comprising a pair of windshield wiper blades
according to the invention, in an inactive position. In this view the
windshield wiper blades 1 are mounted in a traditional manner on the
distal end of an arm 2 by means of an articulation arranged in the median
part of the windshield wiper blade 1. At the proximal end the arms 2 are
mounted on a motorized means connected to the vehicle body 3 so that the
wiper blades travel simultaneously over the zones to be wiped 4a and 4b
on the glass surface such as for instance a windshield 5. In FIG. 1, the
windshield wiper blades 1 are shown in an inactive position, e.g., in a
position parallel to each other and approximately parallel to the lower
edge of the windshield 5. The windshield wiper blades 1 shown in FIG. 1
are called antagonists because they move in opposite directions relative
to each other. The windshield wiper blades 1 can also move parallel
relative to each other, or only one windshield wiper blade 1 can be
arranged to wipe a zone of the windshield, or the rear window, or the
headlights. All these wiping variants do not affect in any way the
operating principle of the windshield wiper blade 1 according to the
invention, which will be described below. The windshield wiper blades 1
shown in FIG. 1 comprise at their lower extremities, in a suitable end
piece 1a, and positioned in parallel to the wiper blade 6 (shown in FIG.
2) of the windshield wiper blade 1, a conduit 23 (shown in FIG. 2)
equipped with a nozzle 24 (shown in FIG. 6), placed on the side of the
zone to be wiped so that a jet of washer fluid can be delivered to a lip
7 (shown in FIG. 2) of the wiper blade 6 of the windshield wiper blade 1.
The nozzles 24 placed in the lower part of the windshield wiper blades 1
define, relative to the axis of rotation of the arm 2, a small radius 10a
and 10b when sweeping the zone to be wiped 4a and 4b, while the upper
extremity of the windshield wiper blades 1 define a large radius 11a and
11b. The travel of the windshield wiper blades 1, between positions 12a
and 12b, parallel to the internal edge of the windshield, and positions
13a and 13b, approximately parallel to the lateral edge of the
windshield, defines the zones to be wiped 4a and 4b. A nozzle could also
be mounted in the upper extremity of the windshield wiper blade 1, facing
the nozzle 24 located in the lower extremity, in other words located on
the side of the zone to be wiped when the blade is at the end of travel,
in other words, in its vertical position when the blade is approximately
parallel to the lateral edge of the windshield 5.

[0031] In order to integrate harmoniously the conduit 23 equipped with the
nozzle 24 in the windshield wiper blade 1 of an automotive vehicle, the
conduit 23 equipped with the nozzle 24 is incorporated in a cap 19. In
this way, in an operating phase, the windshield wiper blade 1 comprising
a flexible, elongated, wiper blade 6, is resting perpendicularly on the
glass surface to be swept, e.g., the surface of the windshield 5 or a
rear window of a vehicle. End cap 19 incorporates the conduit 23 equipped
with the nozzle 24, which is offset at a certain distance relative to
longitudinal median axis of the wiper blade 6. The offset distance is
such that the washer fluid is projected on the majority of the length of
lip 7 of wiper blade 6 of windshield wiper blade 1. In other words, the
position of the conduit 23 equipped with its nozzle 24 is rigorously
located relative to the lip 7 of the wiper blade 6 so that, in the
inactive position on a glass surface, the concavity of the lip 7 is
facing the nozzle 24, as illustrated in FIG. 3.

[0032] FIG. 2 is cross sectional view along line A-A in FIG. 4 of the
windshield wiper blade 1 equipped with a support and a nozzle according
to the invention, showing the lip 7 of the wiper blade 6 in a neutral
position in the median longitudinal plane.

[0033] The windshield wiper blade 1 illustrated in FIG. 2, comprises
essentially the flexible, elongated, wiper blade 6, made of rubber or
similar material suitable to be used for cleaning the glass surface
against which rests lip 7 of wiper blade 6, e.g., the surface of the
front windshield 5 or the rear window of an automotive vehicle.

[0034] This glass surface visible in FIG. 1 usually has a more or less
pronounced curvature, according to the surface traveled by the windshield
wiper blade 1 during its displacements while in contact with the glass
surface, against which the windshield wiper blade 1, according to the
invention, complies perfectly. In the inactive position, lip 7 of wiper
blade 6 resting horizontally, in longitudinal direction, on windshield 5,
which is mounted in the car body in an inclined position, forms an upward
oriented concavity over its length, as shown in FIG. 3. In this
configuration, a heel 7a of the lip 7 comes in contact with a shoulder 9a
of a base 9 of wiper blade 6. The windshield wiper blade 1 commonly
consists of the wiper blade 6 comprising in its lower end the lip 7
articulated around a hinge 8 and in its upper end a frame 18 supporting
wiper blade 6, reinforced by a rib 15 disposed within the polymer frame
18. Wiper blade 6 has in its upper part a tendon 16 which is inserted in
a mortise 17 formed in the lower part of frame 18. This frame 18 has a
wall which becomes progressively thinner in a vertical plane to form a
deflector 18a. Frame 18 comprises connection means (not shown)
articulated to arm 2. In order to improve the overall appearance of the
windshield wiper blade 1, embellishing caps 19 are mounted on each of the
extremities of the windshield wiper blade. Caps 19 cover the extremities
of frame 18 and partially wiper blade 6 in order to reinforce the
perceived quality. The axis of conduit 23 is positioned parallel to the
axis of wiper blade 6, at a distance from it, so that it is facing the
concavity of lip 7 of wiper blade 6 when the wiper blade is in inactive
position (visible on FIG. 3). The caps 19 have the general form of the
profile of frame 18 on which they fit in each extremity. In particular,
their lower parts consist of two C shaped legs 30 and 31 facing each
other and used to guide and to enclose the sliding part of frame 18.
Protuberances 32 and 33 are arranged in the hollows of the C's to
exercise clamping pressure on the flanks 35 and 36 of frame 18 during the
sliding assembly of caps 19. Leg 30 is extended by a lower part 30a and
incorporates, with precise orientation and in suitable manner for the
position of lip 7 of wiper blade 6, a conduit and nozzle assembly 34.
This assembly 34 allows for the delivery of a washer fluid jet on lip 7
of wiper blade 6 of the windshield wiper blade 1. Because of the precise
guiding of the cap 19 when it is assembled on the windshield wiper blade
1, the conduit and nozzle assembly 34 is positioned in offset manner and
very precisely relative to lip 7 of wiper blade 6.

[0035] FIG. 2 shows the windshield wiper blade 1 with wiper blade 6, in a
neutral position, in other words in a position whereby the windshield
wiper blade 1 is not resting against the glass surface of the windshield
5 or when it is not mounted on the arm 2 and is not subject to any stress
or load, in particular lip 7 of wiper blade 6 is positioned in the median
longitudinal plane of said wiper blade 6, symbolized by axis 35.

[0036] FIG. 3 is a cross sectional view of the windshield wiper blade 1
according to the invention shown in inactive position when positioned on
glass surface of the windshield 5. This glass surface of the windshield 5
usually has a more or less pronounced curvature, according to the surface
traveled by the windshield wiper blade 1 during its displacements while
in contact with the glass surface, against which the windshield wiper
blade 1 according to the invention perfectly complies. As described
above, in the inactive position, lip 7 of wiper blade 6 resting
horizontally in longitudinal direction against windshield 5, which is
mounted in the car body in inclined position, forms an upward oriented
concavity over its length. In this configuration, heel 7a of lip 7 comes
in contact with shoulder 9a of base 9 of wiper blade 6. The windshield
wiper blade 1 commonly consists of the wiper blade 6 comprising in its
lower part the lip 7 articulated around the hinge 8 and in its upper part
the frame 18 supporting the wiper blade 6, which is reinforced by the rib
15 disposed in the polymer frame 18. When the wiping movement is
reversed, lip 7 of wiper blade 6 rotates around hinge 8. As illustrated
in FIG. 3, the wiper blade 6 is in its stop and rest position prior to
returning. As soon as the wiping starts, lip 7 of wiper blade 6 will
rotate and heel 7b of lip 7, will come in contact with shoulder 9b of
base 9 of wiper blade 6.

[0037]FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the extremity of a windshield wiper
blade 1 equipped with the cap 19 according to the invention. FIG. 4 shows
the sliding part of the windshield wiper blade 1, comprising frame 18 and
its deflector 18a and wiper blade 6 with lip 7. Cap 19 covers the
extremity of frame 18 and also includes the beginning of a deflector 19a,
which connects by a harmonious curvature with its extremity closed by a
bottom 19b. Leg 31 of cap 19 encloses frame 18, while the other leg 30
also encloses the frame 18 but is prolonged in its lower part to receive
the conduit 23 and nozzle 24 of assembly 34. FIG. 4 illustrates a
canalization 27 which brings the washer fluid to the nozzle 24. This
arrangement integrating the conduit and nozzle assembly 34 in cap 19
allows for the elimination of tedious adjustments and for the removal of
cap 19 from an old used windshield wiper blade 1 and reinstallation on a
new windshield wiper blade 1 during the replacement of the used
windshield wiper blade 1. It is evident from the FIG. 4 that this
operation is very easy to perform, since the wiper blade 6 is easily
viewed through an opening visible in the extremity of cap 19.

[0038]FIG. 5 is an exploded view of the extremity of the windshield wiper
blade 1 equipped with the cap 19 according to the invention. This view
shows how parts are assembled on the extremity of a windshield wiper
blade 1, comprising respectively the frame 18, and functionally
protruding from the frame, the rib 15 reinforcing wiper blade 6. Cap 19
is covering the extremity of the assembly including the frame 18, the rib
15 and the wiper blade 6. For this purpose, the extremity of wiper blade
6 serves as a guiding means in order to engage cap 19 by simple sliding,
as described previously. Lastly, the canalization 27 is connected to
conduit 23 via a connector 28.

[0039]FIG. 6 is a top cross sectional view along line B-B of FIG. 2 of
the extremity of the windshield wiper blade 1 equipped with a cap 19,
showing the detail of the conduit 23, equipped with the nozzle 24
according to the invention, disposed within leg 30 of cap 19. In this
view, it is shown that conduit 23 and nozzle 24, with spherical form, are
perfectly integrated within leg 30 of cap 19, while a chamfer 29 is
uniquely provided at the exit of nozzle 24. No other element or
supplementary part is protruding from the extremity of leg 30 such that
the fluid jet is undistributed towards wiper blade 6. At the other
extremity of leg 30, protruding connector 28 allows for connecting the
canalization 27, transferring the washer fluid towards the nozzle 24, via
the conduit 23.

[0040] Although the cap 19 is shown throughout the various Figures as
being mounted in the lower extremity of the frame 18 of the windshield
wiper blade 1, it is envisioned that this concept can likewise be applied
to the cap covering the upper extremity of frame 18 of windshield wiper
blade 1, of course taking into account the effects of symmetry.

[0041] The windshield wiper blade 1 according to the invention brings
together in a single concept the washing and wiping functions, while
preserving a noteworthy perceived quality. This concept allows for
washing and wiping the windshield 5 at discretion and efficiently while
improving the visibility of the driver.

[0042] It is to be understood that the invention is not limited to the
exemplary embodiments described and shown in detail herein.